Sword Logic: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:39, December 25, 2024

The Hive Cleaver, signature weapon and illustration of the Sword Logic

"The sword binds wielder to victim. It binds life to death."

The Sword Logic, also known as the Bladed Path^[2] is a philosophy and paracausal power-attainment system which serves as the guiding religious principle of the Worms and the Hive. It was initially taught to the Worms and the Hive by the Witness,^[3] however as stated by it and its Dissenters, the Sword Logic is a rather shallow and crude interpretation of the philosophy of winnowing associated with the Darkness.^[4]^[5]

Most information regarding the Sword Logic comes from the Hive religious texts known as the Books of Sorrow,^[6] the scriptures of Dredgen Yor,^[7] and scattered pieces of arcana from Toland's journal.^[1]

Overview

"Here is what is taught to the Hive, from the basest of Thralls newly made: that what can be destroyed, must be destroyed. What cannot be destroyed will surpass infinity. Therefore, is it not best to destroy?"

— Savathûn, the Witch Queen^[8]

The Sword Logic acts as both a philosophy and a metaphysical system through which one may gain paracausal powers. It is the antithesis to the philosophy of the Light, but more specifically Mara Sov's Bomb Logic, which emphasizes complexity and cooperation rather than simplicity and self-interest.^[9]^[10]

The central tenet of the Sword Logic is that "existence is the struggle to exist," and that any entity - whether a life-form or a fundamental aspect of nature - which cannot protect itself against defeat should rightfully be destroyed by a more powerful entity. In the context of intelligent beings, the Logic promotes as its ultimate goal the establishment of a systematic, self-proving civilizational structure which can survive until the end of time (and possibly beyond),^[11]^[12] an end-state often referred to as the "Last True Shape".^[13]^[14]

In following the principles of the Sword Logic, a being not only demonstrates their ability to survive in the face of existential challenges, but also acquires paracausal power through the Darkness; this is known as "becoming sharp." The ultimate expression of this power is the ability to access the Ascendant Realm, which allows one to create a Throne World and thus survive death in the "real" universe. All power derived from the Sword Logic must be taken by force, not received as a gift, else it is rendered weak and "untrue".^[15]

The Sword Logic is the foundation of the entire Hive civilization^[11] and its hierarchy.^[16] Every Hive must prove itself to become greater,^[17]^[18] or risk annihilation.^[19]^[20] This holds true for every Hive, from the tiny Thrall to the Ascendant Hive god-kings, including Oryx and his sisters. Even the Worm Gods are not exempt, as evidenced by Oryx slaying Akka to gain an audience with the Darkness itself.^[15] As a byproduct of the pact made with the Worm Gods, when a Hive grows stronger from the killing of lesser life-forms and those which follow the dictates of the Light and the Darkness, so does its internal worm's lust for killing, meaning that unless it is fed enough the worm will eventually consume its host.^[20]^[21]

The Leviathan knew of the Sword Logic, and claimed that it led to ruin for all who followed its path;^[22] in contrast the Darkness (and Toland^[13]) claim that it is a beautiful thing,^[23] majestic and noble, and that all life should abide by it as the self-proving reason for existence.^[23] However, it unsurprisingly has a corrosive effect on the psyche of the practitioner,^[24] eventually rendering them into an entirely different creature that would horrify themselves if they could view it objectively.^[25] For example, after untold millennia of practicing the sword logic, the emotions of love and hate gradually became indistinguishable to the Hive, and the same may have happened to joy and sorrow.^[26] Indeed, even Savathûn, who convinced Oryx originally to find the Worms, expresses doubt as to the validity of their crusade.^[27] It is also known that the Winnower (which may or may not be the Darkness itself) seems to endorse the Sword Logic as being very much in line with its philosophy and goals.^[28]

Although the Hive treat the Sword Logic as a central commandment of the Darkness, a somewhat cryptic statement by Savathûn seems to suggest that the Sword Logic is only one of many ways of achieving the will of the Darkness and that she herself specifically chose the Sword Logic as the Hive's guiding principle because she knew that it would ensure the Hive's future supremacy.^[8] The Witness itself would also refute the Sword Logic as a "childish game" that the Hive had become distracted by.^[4]

Application

"You are no longer bound by causal closure. Your will defeats law. Kill a hundred of your children with a long blade, Auryx, and observe the change in the blade. Observe how the universe shrinks from you in terror."

— Yul, the Honest Worm^[29]

The Sword Logic serves as a methodology to how individual Hive grow in power. In essence, by killing their enemies, the Hive prove that they are stronger than that enemy, and through the Sword Logic gain that strength in reality. When Oryx killed Xivu Arath in his throne world, he proved he was mightier than her; when Oryx killed Savathûn there, he proved he was more cunning than her. ^[30] Having proved that he was stronger than both, Oryx had demonstrated logically that he was strong enough to take on the Worm God Akka, and by killing Akka, Oryx proved he was strong enough to commune with the Darkness directly, as the Worms did.^[15]^[29]

Repeated application of the sword logic causes the wielder to gradually become "self-defining" and "sharp": both no longer bound by physical laws and capable of outright violating them at will. It is existence asserted by violence.^[31] Both the Hive and the Worm Gods, for example, achieve faster-than-light travel by using their sharpness to cut wounds in space, which they pass through.^[29]^[32] Due to paracausal entities being "beyond" the normal laws of physics, they are impossible for the Vex's otherwise-perfect simulations to model.^[25]

Tribute system

Hive	Killing-Logic	Feeding Worms	Artificially evolve	Tithe 1	Tithe 2	Tithe 3
Thrall	Gain "tribute" through killing.	Take enough to feed their internal worm.	Take enough to "grow" themselves.	Tithe the rest.	N/A	N/A
Acolyte	Gain "tribute" through killing.	Take enough to feed their internal worm.	Take enough to grow themselves.	Take the tithe of the Thrall they lead.	Tithe the rest.	N/A
Knight/Wizard	Gain "tribute" through devastation.	Take enough to feed their internal worm.	Take enough to grow themselves.	Take the tithe from the followers they command.	Take as much as they dared for themselves personally without getting killed.	Tithe the rest.
Ogre^{[note 1]}	Kill for their master^[33]	Kill to assuage its pain^[34]	Kill to become "Reborn"^[35]^[36]	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ascendant Hive	Gain "tribute" through devastation.	Take enough to feed their internal worm.	Take enough to grow themselves.	Take the tithe from their legions.	Take as much as they dare without incurring the wrath of the God-King.	Tithe the rest.
Hive God	Gain "tribute" through the devastation of entire civilizations or through acts that represent them (like cunning, war, navigating or vengeance). ^[30]	Take enough to feed their internal worm.	Take enough to continually grow.	Take the tithe from their spawn and broods.	Use whatever they wished.	Tithe the rest to the Worm Gods
Taken	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Everything to their master, having been freed from the rest of the Tribute system.	N/A
Worm God	N/A	Be fed through their hosts.^[17]	Grow.	Tithe to the Witness.^[37]	N/A	N/A

Using the table above we might be able to construct the tribute system the Hive use,^[11]^[17] with allowances made for those excluded.^[18]^[19] Those who have grown enough from their cunning or strength without being killed will ascend to the next artificial stage of the Hive evolution.^[16] If they do not feed their worm the Hive organism will be devoured from within by its own worm for lack of tribute.^[20]^[21] The Worm Gods receive their tithe directly from the Hive triumvirate.^[17]

The only thing unaffected by the system are the Taken, as they are bound to the will of their master until he falls.^[6] However, the worms of Taken Hive do still need to be fed.^[38] Should their master fall, the Taken are left directionless.^[6]

Heresies

"What could possibly qualify as heretical for the Hive?"
"Something about... resurrection?"

— Zavala and Ghost.

Resurrection in general is seen as heretical by the Hive who follow the Sword Logic. To the Hive, death is necessary to attaining apotheosis, as one can only grow stronger after defeating an opponent. If the slain were to be resurrected, it would nullify the power obtained through vanquishing them.^{[citation needed]}

However, it should be noted that the rules of death are somewhat different to the Hive than they are to humans. This is most notably exemplified by the concept of Ascendance: those Hive individuals who have grown powerful enough through the Sword Logic can move between the physical dimension and the Ascendant Plane and carve out a "throne world" there, so that when they are killed in the "real" world, they may retreat to their throne world and return after a time.^{[citation needed]} Only a death that occurs in one's own throne world is a true, final death in terms of the Hive. It appears that dying in another's throne world is reversible, as illustrated in the Books of Sorrow, where Oryx resurrects his sisters having killed them both within his throne world.^[17] It is likely this was possible because the sisters had already established their own throne worlds.^[39] Furthermore, the manner in which Oryx brings his sisters back is very particular - he does it by defining their nature through acts of war and cunning. At another point Xivu Arath calls him back from the Deep (where she and Savathûn have trapped him) in a similar manner, through describing him,^[40] and millennia later Savathûn summons Xivu Arath to Torobatl through an act of "war and blood".^[41] Another example of a Hive dying in another's throne world and then coming back is Ir Yût, the Deathsinger; being one of the bosses of the raid Crota's End, she dies in his throne world but can be later seen attending Crota's ritual of passing in the mission Last Rites. Crota's mate Omnigul is also notable for returning after having been killed by Guardians, but it can be a hint towards her being an Ascendant Hive.^{[citation needed]} All those instances are not truly "resurrection" in terms of the Hive, therefore not being contradictory to the Sword Logic.

Accepting power bestowed by more powerful beings is also a violation of the Logic; to obtain power, one must take it by force. As such, Nokris, who learned the secrets of necromancy from Xol, was branded a heretic, exiled from his kind and condemned to obscurity as his father removed nearly all traces of his name.^[42]^[43]

A potentially ruinous oversight of the tithing system set up by Oryx directly disobeys the Sword Logic. As stated in his dialogue with Akka, the Worm of Secrets, to have something be given instead of taken by force violates one of the core pillars of the Deep.^[15] Seeing as the desolation wrought by lesser Hive warriors is willingly given to those who are higher in the hierarchy, the method used to prevent their worms from consuming them may actually directly oppose the philosophy on which their civilisation has been founded.

After the deaths of Oryx and Crota at the hands of Light-bearing Guardians, more Hive had chosen to go against the Sword Logic for the sake of survival,^[44] turning to the ritualistic taboos of necromancy like Nokris before and even forming their own tithing system like Savathûn, who created the concept of Imbaru as an alternative means to gain tribute through acts of cunning and deception.^[45] Even the surviving daughters of Crota committed their own heresy by remaking Zulmak, Instrument of Torment into a Hive abomination infused with the essence of Nightmares.^[46] With the arrival of the Pyramids, Eris Morn surmised the Hive committing more empowered or self-destructive sorcery out of desperation in a future arms race for the Witness and its gifts.^[47]

Despite being seen as a heretical sect, the Hive of the Lucent Brood still conduct the Sword Logic even if they had become blessed by the Traveler's Light. In one of these instances, a Knight battled a Lightbearer Wizard in which both would continue to kill each other, invoking "existence is worthiness, That which cannot defend itself must die. This is the one true shape. Aiat," restating the Sword Logic's first tenet.^[48]

Relations to other races

The Witness

"[…] Those poor, short-lived sisters— we did try to explain, you know, but they never grew past thinking of finality as a game where only one could live. A misunderstanding, as useful as it was foolish. We see the universe more broadly."

— The Rubicon: Acheron I

The Witness viewed the Sword Logic as a "childish game" born of a misunderstanding of its own philosophy, with its vision of the Final Shape being more all-encompassing than that envisioned by the Hive^[4]; whereas the Hive believe that only one entity will ultimately become the Final Shape after having destroyed everything else in the universe. The Witness sought a Final Shape in which all living beings would be incorporated into a perfected, eternal, calcified version of reality. It nonetheless acknowledged the Sword Logic as useful in motivating and empowering the Hive as they carried out its will throughout the cosmos.^{[citation needed]}

Worms

As revealed by Ahsa to Deputy-Commander Sloane, the Worm Gods originated as members of a "proto-Worm" species that lived on the planet Fundament, who became corrupted by the Witness' philosophy and began slaughtering one another in order to achieve ascendancy through the Sword Logic.^[3]

Vex

"I have to kill everything. Then I will be powerful."

— Quria, Blade Transform, deducing the Sword Logic^[49]

The Vex first learned of the Sword Logic when Crota accidentally cut open a portal into one of their sealed dimensions.^[50] At first they were confused, their models and projections clashing horribly with the physics^[1] of Oryx's throneworld. In response, they manifested Quria, Blade Transform, who quickly deduced the source of the Hive's power^[49] and organized a series of test invasions in a plan to bootstrap itself to godhood according to the Hive's own rules.^[49]^[51]

Cabal

"The capture of Hive leadership might yield vital strategic intelligence, including weapons or tactics capable of defeating Guardians permanently."

— Ghost Fragment: Cabal 4^[52]

Cabal Emperor Calus knew of the story of Oryx and his species through a device called the OXA Machine, and of their fall to the Worm gods.^[53], though he loathes the Hive as simple pretenders and their Sword Logic as an excuse to escape the inevitability of death after having spoken with the Witness personally.^[54]

The Martian Cabal Legions have little to no experience with the Sword Logic, having never engaged with the Hive in protracted combat except once on the Moon^[55] and knowing that the Hive had weapons or tactics which effectively neutralized Guardian resurrection.^[52] Once the Skyburners Legion set foot upon the Dreadnaught, they became beholden to the Sword Logic^[1] but showed no indication that they recognized any differences to conventional physics.

Scorn

"For a lowly Dreg to rise from their docking to stand as a Baron is rare enough, but that a Fallen of any stature could crack the layers of understanding that barricade the known universe from the ascendant plane is more than improbable. It was impossible.Until it wasn't."

— C.C. LaGrange^[56]

The Baron of the Scorn known as Hiraks, the Mindbender has dedicated himself to understanding and harnessing the Sword Logic and other Hive secrets. After the death of Cayde-6, he has apparently been successful in carving out his own Throne World in the Ascendant Plane, and has the ability to sway lesser Hive creatures to follow his whims.^[57]

The Guardians

" I triumph, and the Light sings, and from my heart to my fingertips, I am alight with glory. Again, and again, I prove my existence to be the truest thing; that I am more real than any other who strives to strike at me. My sword, my self, is forged in Light, and it is hungry. What else can I do with this sharpness that I have cultivated so carefully? What else can WE do? How strong could we become? We Guardians are worthy. I know I can yet become sharper."

— VIP #1290^[58]

To defeat Oryx for good (and by extension Crota, though unwittingly), the Guardians tapped into the power of the Sword Logic, as even Light was forced to obey it within the bounds of his throne world.^[1]^[59] However, in defiance of the Sword Logic's edicts, the Guardians did not claim their enemy's power. This infuriated Toland as he saw the raid team which killed Oryx and his Court leave without taking his place, leaving his power open to be seized by another, and meaning all that he had worked for was for nothing.^[59]

The Sunbreaker Titan identified as "VIP #1290" by the Vanguard is currently under investigation by the Hidden for making use of the Sword Logic.^[58]

The Taken

"I am Oryx, the Taken King. And I have the power to take life and make it my own."

— Oryx declaring his power after his first audience with the Darkness.^[15]

The process of creating Taken transforms a victim into a more perfect form, closer to the desired end-state of obeying the Sword Logic.^[60] The Taken Knight Sylok, the Defiled is known to draw upon his own pain and that of his victims to feed his Worm, seemingly indicating that Taken remain subject to the Sword Logic^[38]

Notes

^ Ogres are an anomaly in the Tribute system. They are Thrall mutated into killing machines but instead kill for different reasons other than to feed their worm.

Trivia

The philosophy of the Sword Logic is similar to that of Social Darwinism, in which the concept of "survival of the fittest", interpreted as an imperative for "the strong" to overcome "the weak", is paramount in all aspects of life.
The Sword Logic is also very similar to the "might makes right" aphorism, which has several meanings. One is that a ruling elite determines what society views as right and wrong. Another is that whomever "labels what they think is good for [themselves] as right, only those who are able to defeat their enemies can push their idea of what is right into fruition".^[61]
According to William Montague,^[62] Kraterocracy (Gr. κρατερός, or krateros, meaning "strong") is a form of government ruled by those strong enough to have seized the reins of power through might or cunning.^[63] This is similar to how the Worms introduce Sword Logic to Auryx.^[11]

List of appearances

Destiny (First appearance)
- The Dark Below
- The Taken King
- Rise of Iron
Destiny 2
- Curse of Osiris
- Warmind
- Forsaken
- Season of the Drifter (Mentioned only)
- Shadowkeep
- Season of the Lost
- Witch Queen
- Season of the Seraph
- Season of the Deep
- Season of the Witch
- The Final Shape (Mentioned only)
- Episode: Echoes (Mentioned only)
The Hidden Dossier (Mentioned only)
Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume VII (Mentioned only)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Bungie (2014/12/9), Destiny - Grimoire:Activities/Raids, Ascendant Sword
^ Bungie (2023/5/26), Destiny 2: Season of the Deep - Ghosts of the Deep: Second Calcified Fragment
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2022/5/22), Destiny 2: Season of the Deep - Item Description: Síocháin's Scuba Shell
^ ^a ^b ^c Destiny 2: The Final Shape - Iconoclasm
^ Bungie (2024/6/4), Destiny 2: The Final Shape - Lore:The Rubicon, Acheron I
^ ^a ^b ^c Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King
^ Bungie (2020/6/9), Destiny 2: Season of Arrivals - Lore:The Singular Exegete, UNBORN
^ ^a ^b (2023/3/10),Destiny 2: Lightfall - Lore:Inspiral, A Sword, an Edge
^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Lore:Marasenna, Palingenesis I
^ Bungie (2024/06/04), Destiny 2: The Final Shape - Queens, Part II
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XVII: The Weakness Verse
^ reddit, The Sword Logic and its implications - General Battuta, Books of Sorrow Grimoire writer
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2015/9/14), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Darkness, Ghost Fragment: Darkness 3
^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXX: a golden amputation
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXVIII: King of Shapes
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XX: Hive
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXIX: Carved in Ruin
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken, The Taken: Acolyte
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken, The Taken: Knight
^ ^a ^b ^c Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXIV: THE SCREAM
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, IX: The Bargain
^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, VIII: Leviathan
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXXII: Majestic. Majestic
^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXXIII: When do monsters have dreams
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XLIII: End of Failed Timeline
^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXIII: fire without fuel
^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XLIV: strict proof eternal
^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Lore:Unveiling, Patternfall
^ ^a ^b ^c Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XVI: The Sword Logic
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXVI: star by star by star
^ Bungie (2018/8/5), Destiny 2: Warmind - Item Description: Whisper of the Worm
^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXI: an incision
^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Grimoire:Enemies/Hive, Ogre
^ Bungie (2014/12/9), Destiny: The Dark Below - Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive, Might of Crota
^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive, Phogoth, the Untamed
^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive, Telthor, Unborn
^ Bungie (2022/2/22), Destiny 2: The Witch Queen - Item Description: Resonant Fury Helm
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken, Sylok, the Defiled
^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXII: The High War
^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXXV: This Love Is War
^ Bungie (2021/2/9), Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen - Lore:Empress, CHAPTER 5: NEW GODS
^ Bungie (2018/8/5), Destiny 2: Warmind - Item Description: Wormgod Caress
^ Bungie (2018/8/5), Destiny 2: Warmind - Item Description: Verity's Brow
^ Bungie (2019/10/29), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Item Description: Apostate
^ Bungie (2018/8/29), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Lore:Truth to Power, Thank you
^ Bungie (2019/10/29), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Item Description: Heretic
^ Bungie (2020/10/6), Destiny 2: Season of Arrivals - Lore:The Singular Exegete, CONTACT
^ Bungie (2023/8/22), Destiny 2: Season of the Witch - Item Description: Hexed Shell
^ ^a ^b ^c Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXXIX: open your eye : go into it
^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXXVIII: The partition of death
^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XL: An Emperor For All Outcomes
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Cabal, Ghost Fragment: Cabal 4
^ Cabal Booklet, "Ghaul, The Dominus", ("Let me tell you a story from the OXA Machine. Once upon a time, a small people lived on a dangerous world. By nature they were petty and fearful. But they strove to be better, and together they overcame their fear.
Unto these people came a king, who said, "We are surrounded by enemies, we are weak and frail. But I have an answer. Eat these larvae, my people, and with their strength we will rise up." Whenever anyone protested the king, the king said, "Are you working with our enemies? No? Then why are you afraid of our strength?"
Thus the king led the great people into slavery to their fear.")
^ Bungie (2019/6/4), Destiny 2: Season of Opulence - Item Description: Shadow's Boots
^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - First Light
^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Lore:The Lawless Frontier, By Thy Tongue Be Damned
^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Target: The Mindbender
^ ^a ^b Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume VII, "Charybdis", 49
^ ^a ^b Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire: King's Fall
^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XLVIII: aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat
^ Wikipedia, Might makes right
^ Wikipedia, William Pepperell Montague
^ Dictionary of Philosophy, Kratocracy

[33] Ogres are an anomaly in the Tribute system. They are Thrall mutated into killing machines but instead kill for different reasons other than to feed their worm.

[Ascendant_Sword-1] Bungie (2014/12/9), Destiny - Grimoire:Activities/Raids, Ascendant Sword

[2] Bungie (2023/5/26), Destiny 2: Season of the Deep - Ghosts of the Deep: Second Calcified Fragment

[S.C3.ADoch.C3.A1in.27s_Scuba_Shell-3] Bungie (2022/5/22), Destiny 2: Season of the Deep - Item Description: Síocháin's Scuba Shell

[Iconoclasm-4] Destiny 2: The Final Shape - Iconoclasm

[Acheron-5] Bungie (2024/6/4), Destiny 2: The Final Shape - Lore:The Rubicon, Acheron I

[Activision-6] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King

[7] Bungie (2020/6/9), Destiny 2: Season of Arrivals - Lore:The Singular Exegete, UNBORN

[ASAE-8] (2023/3/10),Destiny 2: Lightfall - Lore:Inspiral, A Sword, an Edge

[9] Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Lore:Marasenna, Palingenesis I

[10] Bungie (2024/06/04), Destiny 2: The Final Shape - Queens, Part II

[Weakness_Verse-11] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XVII: The Weakness Verse

[General_Battuta-12] reddit, The Sword Logic and its implications - General Battuta, Books of Sorrow Grimoire writer

[Darkness_3-13] Bungie (2015/9/14), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Darkness, Ghost Fragment: Darkness 3

[amputation-14] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXX: a golden amputation

[King_of_Shapes-15] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXVIII: King of Shapes

[Hive-16] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XX: Hive

[Carved_in_Ruin-17] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXIX: Carved in Ruin

[Taken_Acolyte-18] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken, The Taken: Acolyte

[Taken_Knight-19] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken, The Taken: Knight

[SCREAM-20] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXIV: THE SCREAM

[Bargain-21] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, IX: The Bargain

[22] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, VIII: Leviathan

[Majestic-23] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXXII: Majestic. Majestic

[Dreams-24] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXXIII: When do monsters have dreams

[Failed_Timeline-25] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XLIII: End of Failed Timeline

[26] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXIII: fire without fuel

[27] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XLIV: strict proof eternal

[28] Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Lore:Unveiling, Patternfall

[The_Sword_Logic-29] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XVI: The Sword Logic

[stars-30] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXVI: star by star by star

[31] Bungie (2018/8/5), Destiny 2: Warmind - Item Description: Whisper of the Worm

[an_incision-32] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXI: an incision

[34] Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Grimoire:Enemies/Hive, Ogre

[35] Bungie (2014/12/9), Destiny: The Dark Below - Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive, Might of Crota

[36] Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive, Phogoth, the Untamed

[37] Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive, Telthor, Unborn

[38] Bungie (2022/2/22), Destiny 2: The Witch Queen - Item Description: Resonant Fury Helm

[Sylok-39] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken, Sylok, the Defiled

[The_High_War-40] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXII: The High War

[41] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXXV: This Love Is War

[42] Bungie (2021/2/9), Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen - Lore:Empress, CHAPTER 5: NEW GODS

[43] Bungie (2018/8/5), Destiny 2: Warmind - Item Description: Wormgod Caress

[44] Bungie (2018/8/5), Destiny 2: Warmind - Item Description: Verity's Brow

[45] Bungie (2019/10/29), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Item Description: Apostate

[46] Bungie (2018/8/29), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Lore:Truth to Power, Thank you

[47] Bungie (2019/10/29), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Item Description: Heretic

[48] Bungie (2020/10/6), Destiny 2: Season of Arrivals - Lore:The Singular Exegete, CONTACT

[49] Bungie (2023/8/22), Destiny 2: Season of the Witch - Item Description: Hexed Shell

[open_eye-50] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXXIX: open your eye : go into it

[partition-51] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XXXVIII: The partition of death

[Emperor-52] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XL: An Emperor For All Outcomes

[Cabal_4-53] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Cabal, Ghost Fragment: Cabal 4

[54] Cabal Booklet, "Ghaul, The Dominus", ("Let me tell you a story from the OXA Machine. Once upon a time, a small people lived on a dangerous world. By nature they were petty and fearful. But they strove to be better, and together they overcame their fear.
Unto these people came a king, who said, "We are surrounded by enemies, we are weak and frail. But I have an answer. Eat these larvae, my people, and with their strength we will rise up." Whenever anyone protested the king, the king said, "Are you working with our enemies? No? Then why are you afraid of our strength?"
Thus the king led the great people into slavery to their fear.")

[55] Bungie (2019/6/4), Destiny 2: Season of Opulence - Item Description: Shadow's Boots

[56] Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - First Light

[57] Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Lore:The Lawless Frontier, By Thy Tongue Be Damned

[58] Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Target: The Mindbender

[Charybdis-59] Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume VII, "Charybdis", 49

[King.27s_Fall-60] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire: King's Fall

[61] Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow, XLVIII: aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat

[62] Wikipedia, Might makes right

[63] Wikipedia, William Pepperell Montague

[64] Dictionary of Philosophy, Kratocracy

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[note 1]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

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[56]

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:Destiny-AscendantSword-GrimoireCard.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The [[Hive]] [[Cleaver]], signature weapon and illustration of the Sword-Logic]]
+[[File:Destiny-AscendantSword-GrimoireCard.jpg|thumb|150px|The [[Hive]] [[Cleaver]], signature weapon and illustration of the Sword Logic]]
-{{Quote|The sword binds wielder to victim. It binds life to death.|[[Toland, the Shattered]]<ref name="Ascendant Sword">'''Bungie (2014/12/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Raids#Ascendant_Sword|Ascendant Sword]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, Item Description: [http://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/dreadfang Dreadfang]''</ref>}}
+{{Quote|The sword binds wielder to victim. It binds life to death.|[[Toland, the Shattered]]<ref name="Ascendant Sword">'''Bungie (2014/12/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Activities|Activities]]/[[Grimoire:Activities/Raids|Raids]], [[Grimoire:Activities/Raids#Ascendant_Sword|Ascendant Sword]]''</ref>}}
-The '''Sword Logic''' is the guiding religious principle of the [[Hive]]. Most of our information comes from the Hive religious text known as the [[Books of Sorrow]]<ref name="Activision">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard''</ref> and scattered pieces of arcana from Toland's journal.<ref name="Ascendant Sword"/>
+The '''Sword Logic''', also known as the '''Bladed Path'''<ref>'''Bungie (2023/5/26)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Deep]] - [[Ghosts of the Deep]]: [[Ghosts of the Deep#Calcified Fragments|Second Calcified Fragment]]''</ref> is a philosophy and [[paracausal]] power-attainment system which serves as the guiding religious principle of the [[Worms]] and the [[Hive]]. It was initially taught to the Worms and the Hive by the [[The Witness|Witness]],<ref name="Síocháin's Scuba Shell">'''Bungie (2022/5/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Deep]] - Item Description: [[Síocháin's Scuba Shell#Lore|Síocháin's Scuba Shell]]''</ref> however as stated by it and its [[Penitent|Dissenters]], the Sword Logic is a rather shallow and crude interpretation of the philosophy of winnowing associated with the Darkness.<ref name="Iconoclasm">''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[Iconoclasm]]''</ref><ref name="Acheron">'''Bungie (2024/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:The Rubicon|The Rubicon]], [[Lore:The Rubicon#Acheron I|Acheron I]]''</ref>
+Most information regarding the Sword Logic comes from the Hive religious texts known as the [[Books of Sorrow]],<ref name="Activision">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]]''</ref> the scriptures of [[Dredgen Yor]],<ref>'''Bungie (2020/6/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Arrivals]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:The Singular Exegete|The Singular Exegete]], [[Lore:The Singular Exegete#UNBORN|UNBORN]]''</ref> and scattered pieces of arcana from Toland's journal.<ref name="Ascendant Sword"/>
 ==Overview==
-As the antithesis to [[Light]], the Sword Logic is best described as the totality and pinnacle of existence<ref name="Ascendant Sword"/> and as a "queen of armies".<ref name="Darkness 3">'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Darkness#Ghost_Fragment:_Darkness_3|Ghost Fragment: Darkness 3]]''</ref> It dictates both the destruction of everything which cannot protect itself against defeat, and the establishment of a systematic, self-proving civilizational structure which can withstand annihilation,<ref name="Weakness Verse">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XVII:_The_Weakness_Verse|XVII: The Weakness Verse]]''</ref><ref name="General Battuta">'''reddit''', ''[https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyLore/comments/5ag9ne/the_sword_logic_and_its_implications/d9gfxnb/ The Sword Logic and its implications - General Battuta, Books of Sorrow Grimoire writer]''</ref> often refered to as the "Last True Shape" of the universe.<ref name="Darkness 3"/><ref name="amputation">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXX:_a_golden_amputation|XXX: a golden amputation]]''</ref>  In short, it can be described as a survival-of-the-fittest (or even a social Darwinist) ideology taken to an incredible extreme.<ref name="Darkness 3"/> It is not enough to merely defeat enemies, but to utterly annihilate them, and take what's left, feeding the victor.<ref name="Ascendant Sword"/> All power must be taken by force, not received as a gift, else it be rendered weak and untrue.<ref name="King of Shapes">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXVIII:_King_of_Shapes|XXVIII: King of Shapes]]''</ref> This is why it is a mistake to categorize it as a morality system; the Sword Logic is amoral and self-serving,<ref name="General Battuta"/> a meritorious system which dictates the rise and fall of its user by the right of force.<ref name="Carved in Ruin">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXIX:_Carved_in_Ruin|XXIX: Carved in Ruin]]''</ref>
+{{Quote|Here is what is taught to the Hive, from the basest of Thralls newly made: that what can be destroyed, must be destroyed. What cannot be destroyed will surpass infinity. Therefore, is it not best to destroy?|Savathûn, the Witch Queen}}<ref name="ASAE">'''(2023/3/10)''',''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]], [[Lore:Inspiral#A Sword, an Edge|A Sword, an Edge]]''</ref>
+The Sword Logic acts as both a philosophy and a metaphysical system through which one may gain [[paracausality|paracausal]] powers. It is the antithesis to the philosophy of the [[Light]], but more specifically [[Mara Sov]]'s [[Glossary#B|Bomb Logic]], which emphasizes complexity and cooperation rather than simplicity and self-interest.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:Marasenna|Marasenna]], [[Lore:Marasenna#Palingenesis I|Palingenesis I]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2024/06/04)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[Queens, Part II]]''</ref>
+The central tenet of the Sword Logic is that "existence is the struggle to exist," and that any entity - whether a life-form or a fundamental aspect of nature - which cannot protect itself against defeat should rightfully be destroyed by a more powerful entity. In the context of intelligent beings, the Logic promotes as its ultimate goal the establishment of a systematic, self-proving civilizational structure which can survive until the end of time (and possibly beyond),<ref name="Weakness Verse">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XVII:_The_Weakness_Verse|XVII: The Weakness Verse]]''</ref><ref name="General Battuta">'''reddit''', ''[https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyLore/comments/5ag9ne/the_sword_logic_and_its_implications/d9gfxnb/ The Sword Logic and its implications - General Battuta, Books of Sorrow Grimoire writer]''</ref> an end-state often referred to as the "[[Final Shape|Last True Shape]]".<ref name="Darkness 3">'''Bungie (2015/9/14)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Darkness|Darkness]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Darkness#Ghost_Fragment:_Darkness_3|Ghost Fragment: Darkness 3]]''</ref><ref name="amputation">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXX:_a_golden_amputation|XXX: a golden amputation]]''</ref>
+In following the principles of the Sword Logic, a being not only demonstrates their ability to survive in the face of existential challenges, but also acquires paracausal power through the Darkness; this is known as "becoming sharp." The ultimate expression of this power is the ability to access the [[Ascendant Realm]], which allows one to create a [[Throne World]] and thus survive death in the "real" universe. All power derived from the Sword Logic must be taken by force, not received as a gift, else it is rendered weak and "untrue".<ref name="King of Shapes">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXVIII:_King_of_Shapes|XXVIII: King of Shapes]]''</ref>
+The Sword Logic is the foundation of the entire Hive civilization<ref name="Weakness Verse"/> and its hierarchy.<ref name="Hive">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XX:_Hive|XX: Hive]]''</ref> Every Hive must prove itself to become greater,<ref name="Carved in Ruin">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXIX:_Carved_in_Ruin|XXIX: Carved in Ruin]]''</ref><ref name="Taken Acolyte">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken|The Taken]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/The_Taken#The_Taken:_Acolyte|The Taken: Acolyte]]''</ref> or risk annihilation.<ref name="Taken Knight">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken|The Taken]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/The_Taken#The_Taken:_Knight|The Taken: Knight]]''</ref><ref name="SCREAM">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXIV:_THE_SCREAM|XXIV: THE SCREAM]]''</ref> This holds true for every Hive, from the tiny [[Thrall]] to the [[Ascendant Hive]] god-kings, including [[Oryx]] and [[Xivu Arath|his]] [[ Savathûn|sisters]]. Even the Worm Gods are not exempt, as evidenced by Oryx slaying [[Akka]] to gain an audience with the [[Darkness]] itself.<ref name="King of Shapes"/> As a byproduct of the pact made with the Worm Gods, when a Hive grows stronger from the killing of lesser life-forms and those which follow the dictates of the Light and the Darkness, so does its internal worm's lust for killing, meaning that unless it is fed enough the worm will eventually consume its host.<ref name="SCREAM"/><ref name="Bargain">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#IX:_The_Bargain|IX: The Bargain]]''</ref>
+The [[Leviathan (Fundament)|Leviathan]] knew of the Sword Logic, and claimed that it led to ruin for all who followed its path;<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#VIII:_Leviathan|VIII: Leviathan]]''</ref> in contrast the Darkness (and Toland<ref name="Darkness 3"/>) claim that it is a beautiful thing,<ref name="Majestic">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXII:_Majestic._Majestic.|XXXII: Majestic. Majestic]]''</ref> majestic and noble, and that all life should abide by it as the self-proving reason for existence.<ref name="Majestic"/> However, it unsurprisingly has a corrosive effect on the psyche of the practitioner,<ref name="Dreams">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXIII:_When_do_monsters_have_dreams|XXXIII: When do monsters have dreams]]''</ref> eventually rendering them into an entirely different creature that would horrify themselves if they could view it objectively.<ref name="Failed Timeline">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XLIII:_End_of_Failed_Timeline|XLIII: End of Failed Timeline]]''</ref> For example, after untold millennia of practicing the sword logic, the emotions of love and hate gradually became indistinguishable to the Hive, and the same may have happened to joy and sorrow.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXIII:_fire_without_fuel|XXIII: fire without fuel]]''</ref> Indeed, even Savathûn, who convinced Oryx originally to find the Worms, expresses doubt as to the validity of their crusade.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XLIV:_strict_proof_eternal|XLIV: strict proof eternal]]''</ref> It is also known that the Winnower (which may or may not be the Darkness itself) seems to endorse the Sword Logic as being very much in line with its philosophy and goals.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]], [[Lore:Unveiling#Patternfall|Patternfall]]''</ref>
-This is what has built the entire Hive civilization<ref name="Weakness Verse"/> and its very hierarchy.<ref name="Hive">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XX:_Hive|XX: Hive]]''</ref> Each lesser Hive must prove itself to become greater,<ref name="Carved in Ruin"/><ref name="Taken Acolyte">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/The_Taken#The_Taken:_Acolyte|The Taken: Acolyte]]''</ref> or risk annihilation.<ref name="Taken Knight">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/The_Taken#The_Taken:_Knight|The Taken: Knight]]''</ref><ref name="SCREAM">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXIV:_THE_SCREAM|XXIV: THE SCREAM]]''</ref> This holds true for every Hive, from the tiny [[Thrall]] to the [[Ascendant Hive]] god-kings, including [[Oryx]] and [[Xivu Arath|his]] [[ Savathûn|sisters]]. Even the Worm Gods are not exempt, as evidenced by Oryx slaying [[Akka]] to gain an audience with the [[Darkness]] itself.<ref name="King of Shapes"/> As a byproduct of the pact made with the Worm Gods, when a Hive grows stronger from the killing of lesser life-forms (referred to as "cellular automata") and those which follow the dictates of the Light and the Darkness, so does its internal worm's lust for killing, meaning that unless it is fed enough the worm will eventually consume its host.<ref name="SCREAM"/><ref name="Bargain">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#IX:_The_Bargain|IX: The Bargain]]''</ref>
+Although the Hive treat the Sword Logic as a central commandment of the Darkness, a somewhat cryptic statement by [[Savathûn, the Witch Queen|Savathûn]] seems to suggest that the Sword Logic is only one of many ways of achieving the will of the Darkness and that she herself specifically chose the Sword Logic as the Hive's guiding principle because she knew that it would ensure the Hive's future supremacy.<ref name="ASAE"/> The [[The Witness|Witness]] itself would also refute the Sword Logic as a "childish game" that the Hive had become distracted by.<ref name="Iconoclasm"/>
-The [[Leviathan]] knew of the Sword Logic and claimed that it led to ruin and damnation for all who followed its path;<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#VIII:_Leviathan|VIII: Leviathan]]''</ref> in contrast the Darkness (and Toland<ref name="Darkness 3"/>) claimed that it was a beautiful thing,<ref name="Majestic">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXII:_Majestic._Majestic.|XXXII: Majestic. Majestic]]''</ref> majestic and noble, and that all life should abide by this self-proving law for this was the natural way of the universe.<ref name="Majestic"/> However there are implications that it destroys the soul and integrity of the practitioner,<ref name="Dreams">''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXIII:_When_do_monsters_have_dreams|XXXIII: When do monsters have dreams]]''</ref> rendering them into an entirely different creature that would horrify themselves if they could view it objectively.<ref name="Failed Timeline">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XLIII:_End_of_Failed_Timeline|XLIII: End of Failed Timeline]]''</ref> Indeed, even Savathûn, who convinced Oryx originally to find the Worms, expresses doubt as to the validity of their crusade.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XLIV:_strict_proof_eternal|XLIV: strict proof eternal]]''</ref>
+===Application===
+{{quote|You are no longer bound by causal closure. Your will defeats law. Kill a hundred of your children with a long blade, Auryx, and observe the change in the blade. Observe how the universe shrinks from you in terror.|[[Yul, the Honest Worm]]<ref name = "The Sword Logic">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XVI:_The_Sword_Logic|XVI: The Sword Logic]]''</ref>}}
-The Sword Logic can, in rare cases, resurrect a Hive god which has been killed in the [[Ascendant Realm|Ascendant plane]], as long as the one which killed them kills according to their geas, that is their inherent nature which binds them to the worm.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXV:_This_Love_Is_War|XXXV: This Love Is War]]''</ref><ref name="Carved in Ruin"/>
+The Sword Logic serves as a methodology to how individual Hive grow in power. In essence, by killing their enemies, the Hive prove that they are stronger than that enemy, and through the Sword Logic gain that strength in reality. When Oryx killed Xivu Arath in his throne world, he proved he was mightier than her; when Oryx killed Savathûn there, he proved he was more cunning than her. <ref name = "stars">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXVI:_star_by_star_by_star|XXVI: star by star by star]]''</ref> Having proved that he was stronger than both, Oryx had demonstrated logically that he was strong enough to take on the Worm God [[Akka]], and by killing Akka, Oryx proved he was strong enough to commune with the Darkness directly, as the Worms did.<ref name="King of Shapes"/><ref name = "The Sword Logic"/>
+Repeated application of the sword logic causes the wielder to gradually become "self-defining" and "sharp": both no longer bound by physical laws and capable of outright violating them at will. It is existence asserted by violence.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/8/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Warmind (expansion)|Warmind]] - Item Description: [[Whisper of the Worm#Lore|Whisper of the Worm]]''</ref> Both the Hive and the Worm Gods, for example, achieve faster-than-light travel by using their sharpness to cut wounds in space, which they pass through.<ref name = "The Sword Logic"/><ref name = "an incision">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXI:_an incision|XXI: an incision]]''</ref> Due to paracausal entities being "beyond" the normal laws of physics, they are impossible for the Vex's otherwise-perfect simulations to model.<ref name="Failed Timeline"/>
 ===Tribute system===
@@ Line 22: / Line 38: @@
 ! '''Tithe 3'''
 |-
-| '''Thrall''' || Gain "tribute" through killing. || Take enough to feed their internal worm. || Take enough to "grow" (or evolve) themselves. || Tithe the rest. || N/A || N/A
+| '''Thrall''' || Gain "tribute" through killing. || Take enough to feed their internal worm. || Take enough to "grow" themselves. || Tithe the rest. || N/A || N/A
 |-
 | '''Acolyte''' || Gain "tribute" through killing. || Take enough to feed their internal worm. || Take enough to grow themselves. || Take the tithe of the Thrall they lead. || Tithe the rest. || N/A
 |-
-| '''Ogre'''<ref group=note>Ogres are an anomaly in the Tribute system. They are Thrall mutated into killing machines but instead kill for different reasons other than to feed their worm.</ref> || Kill for their master<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Hive#Ogre|Ogre]]''</ref> || Kill to assuage its pain<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Dark Below]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted_Hive#Might_of_Crota|Might of Crota]]''</ref> || Kill to become "Reborn"<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted_Hive#Phogoth.2C_the_Untamed|Phogoth, the Untamed]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted_Hive#Telthor.2C_Unborn|Telthor, Unborn]]''</ref> || N/A || N/A || N/A
+| '''Knight/Wizard''' || Gain "tribute" through devastation. || Take enough to feed their internal worm. || Take enough to grow themselves. || Take the tithe from the followers they command. || Take as much as they dared for themselves personally without getting killed. || Tithe the rest.
 |-
-| '''Knight/Wizard''' || Gain "tribute" through devastation. || Take enough to feed their internal worm. || Take enough to grow themselves. || Take the tithe from the followers they command. || Take as much as they dared for themselves personally without getting killed. || Tithe the rest.
+| '''Ogre'''<ref group=note>Ogres are an anomaly in the Tribute system. They are Thrall mutated into killing machines but instead kill for different reasons other than to feed their worm.</ref> || Kill for their master<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Hive|Hive]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Hive#Ogre|Ogre]]''</ref> || Kill to assuage its pain<ref>'''Bungie (2014/12/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Dark Below]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive|Exalted Hive]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted_Hive#Might_of_Crota|Might of Crota]]''</ref> || Kill to become "Reborn"<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive|Exalted Hive]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted_Hive#Phogoth.2C_the_Untamed|Phogoth, the Untamed]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive|Exalted Hive]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted_Hive#Telthor.2C_Unborn|Telthor, Unborn]]''</ref> || N/A || N/A || N/A
 |-
-| '''Ascendant Hive''' || Gain "tribute" through devastation. || Take enough to feed their internal worm. || Take enough to grow themselves. || Take the tithe from their legions. || Take as much as they dared without incurring the wrath of the God-King. || Tithe the rest.
+| '''Ascendant Hive''' || Gain "tribute" through devastation. || Take enough to feed their internal worm. || Take enough to grow themselves. || Take the tithe from their legions. || Take as much as they dare without incurring the wrath of the God-King. || Tithe the rest.
 |-
-| '''God-King''' || Gain "tribute" through the devastation of kingdoms, empires, and nations.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXVI:_star_by_star_by_star|XXVI: star by star by star]]''</ref> || Take enough to feed their internal worm. || Take enough to continually grow. || Take the tithe from their spawn and broods. || Use whatever they wished. || Tithe the rest to the Worm Gods
+| '''Hive God''' || Gain "tribute" through the devastation of entire civilizations or through acts that represent them (like cunning, war, navigating or vengeance). <ref name = "stars">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXVI:_star_by_star_by_star|XXVI: star by star by star]]''</ref> || Take enough to feed their internal worm. || Take enough to continually grow. || Take the tithe from their spawn and broods. || Use whatever they wished. || Tithe the rest to the Worm Gods
 |-
 | '''Taken''' || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A || Everything to their master, having been freed from the rest of the Tribute system. || N/A
 |-
-| '''Worm God''' || N/A || Be fed through their worshippers.<ref name="Carved in Ruin"/> || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A
+| '''Worm God''' || N/A || Be fed through their hosts.<ref name="Carved in Ruin"/> || Grow. || Tithe to the [[The Witness|Witness]].<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - Item Description: [[Resonant_Fury_Suit_(Titan)#Resonant Fury Helm|Resonant Fury Helm]]''</ref> || N/A || N/A
 |-
 |}
 Using the table above we might be able to construct the tribute system the Hive use,<ref name="Weakness Verse"/><ref name="Carved in Ruin"/> with allowances made for those excluded.<ref name="Taken Acolyte"/><ref name="Taken Knight"/> Those who have grown enough from their cunning or strength without being killed will ascend to the next artificial stage of the Hive evolution.<ref name="Hive"/> If they do not feed their worm the Hive organism will be devoured from within by its own worm for lack of tribute.<ref name="SCREAM"/><ref name="Bargain"/> The Worm Gods receive their tithe directly from the Hive triumvirate.<ref name="Carved in Ruin"/>
-The only thing unaffected by the system are the Taken, as they are bound to the will of their master until he falls.<ref name="Activision"/> However, their worms do still need to be fed.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/The_Taken#Sylok.2C_the_Defiled|Sylok, the Defiled]]''</ref> Should their master fall, the Taken are left directionless.<ref name="Activision"/>
+The only thing unaffected by the system are the Taken, as they are bound to the will of their master until he falls.<ref name="Activision"/> However, the worms of Taken Hive do still need to be fed.<ref name="Sylok">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken|The Taken]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/The_Taken#Sylok.2C_the_Defiled|Sylok, the Defiled]]''</ref> Should their master fall, the Taken are left directionless.<ref name="Activision"/>
+===Heresies===
+{{Quote|What could possibly qualify as heretical for the Hive?"<br>"Something about... resurrection?|[[Zavala]] and [[Ghost]].}}
+Resurrection in general is seen as heretical by the Hive who follow the Sword Logic. To the Hive, death is necessary to attaining apotheosis, as one can only grow stronger after defeating an opponent. If the slain were to be resurrected, it would nullify the power obtained through vanquishing them.{{Citation needed}}
+However, it should be noted that the rules of death are somewhat different to the Hive than they are to humans. This is most notably exemplified by the concept of Ascendance: those Hive individuals who have grown powerful enough through the Sword Logic can move between the physical dimension and the [[Ascendant Plane]] and carve out a "throne world" there, so that when they are killed in the "real" world, they may retreat to their throne world and return after a time.{{Citation needed}} Only a death that occurs in one's own throne world is a true, final death in terms of the Hive. It appears that dying in another's throne world is reversible, as illustrated in the Books of Sorrow, where Oryx resurrects his sisters having killed them both within his throne world.<ref name="Carved in Ruin"/> It is likely this was possible because the sisters had already established their own throne worlds.<ref name="The High War">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXII:_The_High_War|XXII: The High War]]''</ref> Furthermore, the manner in which Oryx brings his sisters back is very particular - he does it by defining their nature through acts of war and cunning. At another point Xivu Arath calls him back from the Deep (where she and Savathûn have trapped him) in a similar manner, through describing him,<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXV:_This_Love_Is_War|XXXV: This Love Is War]]''</ref> and millennia later Savathûn summons Xivu Arath to [[Torobatl]] through an act of "war and blood".<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:Empress|Empress]], [[Lore:Empress#CHAPTER 5: NEW GODS|CHAPTER 5: NEW GODS]]''</ref> Another example of a Hive dying in another's throne world and then coming back is [[Ir Yût, the Deathsinger]]; being one of the bosses of the [[raid]] [[Crota's End]], she dies in [[Oversoul Throne|his throne world]] but can be later seen attending Crota's ritual of passing in the mission [[Last Rites]]. Crota's mate Omnigul is also notable for returning after having been killed by Guardians, but it can be a hint towards her being an Ascendant Hive.{{Citation needed}} All those instances are not truly "resurrection" in terms of the Hive, therefore not being contradictory to the Sword Logic.
+Accepting power bestowed by more powerful beings is also a violation of the Logic; to obtain power, one must take it by force. As such, Nokris, who learned the secrets of necromancy from Xol, was branded a heretic, exiled from his kind and condemned to obscurity as his father removed nearly all traces of his name.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/8/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Warmind (expansion)|Warmind]] - Item Description: [[Wormgod Caress#Lore|Wormgod Caress]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2018/8/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Warmind (expansion)|Warmind]] - Item Description: [[Verity's Brow#Lore|Verity's Brow]]''</ref>
+A potentially ruinous oversight of the tithing system set up by Oryx directly disobeys the Sword Logic. As stated in his dialogue with [[Akka, the Worm of Secrets]], to have something be given instead of taken by force violates one of the core pillars of the Deep.<ref name="King of Shapes"/> Seeing as the desolation wrought by lesser Hive warriors is willingly given to those who are higher in the hierarchy, the method used to prevent their worms from consuming them may actually directly oppose the philosophy on which their civilisation has been founded.
+After the deaths of Oryx and Crota at the hands of Light-bearing Guardians, more Hive had chosen to go against the Sword Logic for the sake of survival,<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/29)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - Item Description: [[Apostate#Lore|Apostate]]''</ref> turning to the ritualistic taboos of necromancy like Nokris before and even forming their own tithing system like [[Savathûn]], who created the concept of [[Imbaru]] as an alternative means to gain tribute through acts of cunning and deception.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/8/29)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:Truth to Power|Truth to Power]], [[Lore:Truth to Power#Thank You|Thank you]]''</ref> Even the surviving daughters of Crota committed their own heresy by remaking [[Zulmak, Instrument of Torment]] into a Hive abomination infused with the essence of [[Nightmares]].<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/29)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - Item Description: [[Heretic#Lore|Heretic]]''</ref> With the arrival of the [[Pyramids]], Eris Morn surmised the Hive committing more empowered or self-destructive sorcery out of desperation in a future arms race for the [[Witness]] and its gifts.<ref>'''Bungie (2020/10/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Arrivals]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:The Singular Exegete|The Singular Exegete]], [[Lore:The Singular Exegete#CONTACT|CONTACT]]''</ref>
+Despite being seen as a heretical sect, the Hive of the [[Lucent Brood]] still conduct the Sword Logic even if they had become blessed by the Traveler's Light. In one of these instances, a Knight battled a [[Lightbearer Wizard]] in which both would continue to kill each other, invoking "existence is worthiness, That which cannot defend itself must die. This is the one true shape. Aiat," restating the Sword Logic's first tenet.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/8/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Witch]] - Item Description: [[Hexed Shell#Lore|Hexed Shell]]''</ref>
 ==Relations to other races==
-{{Quote|The capture of Hive leadership might yield vital strategic intelligence, including weapons or tactics capable of defeating Guardians permanently.|[[Grimoire:Enemies/Cabal#Ghost_Fragment:_Cabal_4|Ghost Fragment: Cabal 4]]<ref name="Cabal 4">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Cabal#Ghost_Fragment:_Cabal_4|Ghost Fragment: Cabal 4]]''</ref>}}
+===The Witness===
+{{Quote|[…] Those poor, short-lived sisters— we did try to explain, you know, but they never grew past thinking of finality as a game where only one could live. A misunderstanding, as useful as it was foolish. We see the universe more broadly.|[[Lore:The Rubicon|The Rubicon]]: [[Lore:The Rubicon#Acheron I|Acheron I]]}}
+The Witness viewed the Sword Logic as a "childish game" born of a misunderstanding of its own philosophy, with its vision of the Final Shape being more all-encompassing than that envisioned by the Hive<ref name="Iconoclasm"/>; whereas the Hive believe that only one entity will ultimately become the Final Shape after having destroyed everything else in the universe. The Witness sought a Final Shape in which all living beings would be incorporated into a perfected, eternal, calcified version of reality. It nonetheless acknowledged the Sword Logic as useful in motivating and empowering the Hive as they carried out its will throughout the cosmos.{{Citation needed}}
+===Worms===
+As revealed by [[Ahsa]] to Deputy-Commander [[Sloane]], the Worm Gods originated as members of a "proto-Worm" species that lived on the planet [[Fundament]], who became corrupted by the [[the Witness|Witness]]' philosophy and began slaughtering one another in order to achieve ascendancy through the Sword Logic.<ref name="Síocháin's Scuba Shell"/>
 ===Vex===
-The [[Vex]] first learned of the Sword Logic when [[Crota]] accidentally cut open a portal into one of their sealed dimensions.<ref name="partition">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXVIII:_The_partition_of_death|XXXVIII: The partition of death]]''</ref> At first they were confused, their models and projections clashing horribly with the physics<ref name="Ascendant Sword"/> of Oryx's throneworld, until they manifested [[Quria, Blade Transform]] who quickly deduced the source of the Hive's power<ref name="open eye">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXIX:_open_your_eye_:_go_into_it|XXXIX: open your eye : go into it]]''</ref> and organized a series of test invasions in a plan to bootstrap itself to godhood according to the Hive's own rules.<ref name="open eye"/><ref name="Emperor">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XL:_An_Emperor_For_All_Outcomes|XL: An Emperor For All Outcomes]]''</ref>
+{{Quote|I have to kill everything. Then I will be powerful.|[[Quria, Blade Transform]], deducing the Sword Logic<ref name="open eye">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXIX:_open_your_eye_:_go_into_it|XXXIX: open your eye : go into it]]''</ref>}}
+The [[Vex]] first learned of the Sword Logic when [[Crota]] accidentally cut open a portal into one of their sealed dimensions.<ref name="partition">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXVIII:_The_partition_of_death|XXXVIII: The partition of death]]''</ref> At first they were confused, their models and projections clashing horribly with the physics<ref name="Ascendant Sword"/> of Oryx's throneworld. In response, they manifested [[Quria, Blade Transform]], who quickly deduced the source of the Hive's power<ref name="open eye">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXIX:_open_your_eye_:_go_into_it|XXXIX: open your eye : go into it]]''</ref> and organized a series of test invasions in a plan to bootstrap itself to godhood according to the Hive's own rules.<ref name="open eye"/><ref name="Emperor">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XL:_An_Emperor_For_All_Outcomes|XL: An Emperor For All Outcomes]]''</ref>
-Oryx eventually returned home and defeated the Vex, closing off Crota's portal after throwing his son through it,<ref name="Emperor"/> but not before acknowledging the Vex as a worthy foe.<ref name="Emperor"/> The Vex may have been exposed to the Sword Logic earlier than Crota's mishap, for Savathûn had known of them and had been the one behind Crota's "accident,"<ref name="open eye"/> but they only began studying it in earnest after Quria uploaded its data on Oryx's Ascendant Realm to the greater Vex network, following its second failed invasion.<ref name="Failed Timeline"/>
+===Cabal===
+{{Quote|The capture of Hive leadership might yield vital strategic intelligence, including weapons or tactics capable of defeating Guardians permanently.|[[Grimoire:Enemies/Cabal#Ghost_Fragment:_Cabal_4|Ghost Fragment: Cabal 4]]<ref name="Cabal 4">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Cabal|Cabal]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Cabal#Ghost_Fragment:_Cabal_4|Ghost Fragment: Cabal 4]]''</ref>}}
+[[Cabal]] [[Emperor]] [[Calus]] knew of the story of Oryx and his species through a device called the OXA Machine, and of their fall to the Worm gods.<ref>'''[[Cabal Booklet]]''', "Ghaul, The Dominus", (''"Let me tell you a story from the OXA Machine. Once upon a time, a small people lived on a dangerous world. By nature they were petty and fearful. But they strove to be better, and together they overcame their fear. <br/> Unto these people came a king, who said, "We are surrounded by enemies, we are weak and frail. But I have an answer. Eat these larvae, my people, and with their strength we will rise up." Whenever anyone protested the king, the king said, "Are you working with our enemies? No? Then why are you afraid of our strength?" <br/> Thus the king led the great people into slavery to their fear."'')</ref>, though he loathes the Hive as simple pretenders and their Sword Logic as an excuse to escape the inevitability of death after having spoken with [[The Witness|the Witness]] personally.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Opulence]] - Item Description: [[Shadow of Judgment Suit#Shadow's Boots|Shadow's Boots]]''</ref>
-===Cabal===
+The [[Mars|Martian]] Cabal Legions have little to no experience with the Sword Logic, having never engaged with the Hive in protracted combat except once on the Moon<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[First Light]]''</ref> and knowing that the Hive had weapons or tactics which effectively neutralized [[Guardian]] resurrection.<ref name="Cabal 4"/> Once the [[Skyburners]] Legion set foot upon the [[Dreadnaught]], they became beholden to the Sword Logic<ref name="Ascendant Sword"/> but showed no indication that they recognized any differences to conventional physics.
-The [[Cabal]] have little to no experience with the Sword Logic, having never engaged with the Hive in protracted combat except once on the Moon<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[First Light]]''</ref> and knowing the Hive had weapons or tactics which effectively neutralized [[Guardian]] resurrection.<ref name="Cabal 4"/> Once the [[Skyburners]] Legion set foot upon the [[Dreadnaught]] they became beholden to the Sword Logic<ref name="Ascendant Sword"/> but showed no indication that they recognized any differences to conventional physics. Nonetheless with the defeat of Oryx, the Cabal contingent aboard the Dreadnaught have continued to hold out despite overwhelming losses.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Outbound Signal]]''</ref>
-===Fallen===
+===Scorn===
-The [[Fallen]] have not been observed to adapt the Sword Logic to their tactics until the [[SIVA Crisis]],<ref>'''Bungie (2016/9/20)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[Rise of Iron]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/SIVA#Dormant_SIVA:_Fallen_3.4|Dormant SIVA: Fallen 3.4]]''</ref> when the [[Devil Splicers]] began experimenting with [[SIVA]] and transcended flesh<ref>'''Bungie (2016/9/20)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[Rise of Iron]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/SIVA#Dormant_SIVA:_Fallen_3.0|Dormant SIVA: Fallen 3.0]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2016/9/20)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[Rise of Iron]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/SIVA#Dormant_SIVA:_Fallen_3.5|Dormant SIVA: Fallen 3.5]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2016/9/20)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[Rise of Iron]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/SIVA#Dormant_SIVA:_Fallen_3.6|Dormant SIVA: Fallen 3.6]]''</ref> entirely. Though not wholly like the Hive and the Worm Gods, the Fallen's behavior is similar enough to the precepts of the Final Shape that they have comprehended a form of the Sword Logic.<ref name="Darkness 3"/> SIVA itself echoes the Sword Logic on a nanoscale, learning from what it adapts to itself.<ref>'''Bungie (2016/20/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[Rise of Iron]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/SIVA#Dormant_SIVA:_Iron_Lords_2.2|Dormant SIVA: Iron Lord 2.2]]''</ref>
+{{Quote|For a lowly Dreg to rise from their docking to stand as a Baron is rare enough, but that a Fallen of any stature could crack the layers of understanding that barricade the known universe from the ascendant plane is more than improbable. It was impossible.Until it wasn't.|[[C.C. LaGrange]]<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:The Lawless Frontier|The Lawless Frontier]], [[Lore:The Lawless Frontier#By Thy Tongue Be Damned|By Thy Tongue Be Damned]]''</ref>}}
+The [[Baron]] of the [[Scorn]] known as [[Hiraks, the Mindbender]] has dedicated himself to understanding and harnessing the Sword Logic and other Hive secrets. After the death of Cayde-6, he has apparently been successful in carving out his own Throne World in the Ascendant Plane, and has the ability to sway lesser Hive creatures to follow his whims.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Target: The Mindbender]]''</ref>
 ===The Guardians===
-In order to defeat Oryx for good (and by extension Crota, though unwittingly), the Guardians tapped into the power of the Sword Logic, as even Light was forced to obeyed it within the bounds of his Ascendant Realm.<ref name="Ascendant Sword"/><ref name="King's Fall">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Raids#King.27s_Fall|King's Fall]]''</ref> However, in defiance of the Sword Logic's edicts, the Guardians did not carry through and claim their enemy's power. This infuriated Toland as he saw the raid team which killed Oryx and his [[Court of Oryx|Court]] leave without taking his place, leaving his power open to be seized by another, and meaning all that he had worked for was for naught.<ref name="King's Fall"/>
+{{Quote| I triumph, and the Light sings, and from my heart to my fingertips, I am alight with glory. Again, and again, I prove my existence to be the truest thing; that I am more real than any other who strives to strike at me. My sword, my self, is forged in Light, and it is hungry. What else can I do with this sharpness that I have cultivated so carefully? What else can WE do? How strong could we become? We Guardians are worthy. I know I can yet become sharper.|VIP #1290<ref name="Charybdis">'''[[Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume VII]]''', "[[Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume VII#Charybdis|Charybdis]]", ''49''</ref>}}
+To defeat Oryx for good (and by extension Crota, though unwittingly), the Guardians tapped into the power of the Sword Logic, as even Light was forced to obey it within the bounds of his throne world.<ref name="Ascendant Sword"/><ref name="King's Fall">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Raids#King.27s_Fall|King's Fall]]''</ref> However, in defiance of the Sword Logic's edicts, the Guardians did not claim their enemy's power. This infuriated Toland as he saw the raid team which killed Oryx and his [[Court of Oryx|Court]] leave without taking his place, leaving his power open to be seized by another, and meaning all that he had worked for was for nothing.<ref name="King's Fall"/>
-==The Taken==
+The Sunbreaker Titan identified as ''"VIP #1290"'' by the Vanguard is currently under investigation by the [[Hidden]] for making use of the Sword Logic.<ref name="Charybdis"/>
+===The Taken===
 {{quote|I am Oryx, the Taken King. And I have the power to take life and make it my own.|Oryx declaring his power after his first audience with the Darkness.<ref name="King of Shapes"/>}}
-The [[Taken]] are corrupted members of various [[races|species]] the Hive have encountered and destroyed. First demonstrated against the [[Ecumene]]<ref name="Eat the Sky">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXVII:_Eat_the_Sky|XXVII: Eat the Sky]]''</ref> after Oryx communed with the Darkness,<ref name="King of Shapes"/> the Taken as a whole are described as a "paracausal [http://powerlisting.wikia.com/wiki/Ontopathogenesis ontopathogenic] weapon" which infects the physical existence of an enemy and binds them to the will of Oryx. They serve as Oryx's proxies, as during the war against the Ecumene they allowed him to kill ''en mass'' far more than ordinary Hive could do, as he could Take the enemy's soldiers to replace his own losses and empower his forces with their abilities.<ref name="Eat the Sky"/>
+The process of creating Taken transforms a victim into a more perfect form, closer to the desired end-state of obeying the Sword Logic.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire]]:[[Grimoire:Enemies|Enemies]]/[[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]], [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XLVIII:_aiat.2C_aiat.2C_aiat.2C_aiat.2C_aiat|XLVIII: aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat]]''</ref> The Taken Knight [[Sylok, the Defiled]] is known to draw upon his own pain and that of his victims to feed his Worm, seemingly indicating that Taken remain subject to the Sword Logic<ref name="Sylok"/>
-Being Taken transforms the victim into a more perfect form, the desired end-state of obeying the Sword Logic.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XLVIII:_aiat.2C_aiat.2C_aiat.2C_aiat.2C_aiat|XLVIII: aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat]]''</ref> As Taken are not known to obey the conventional Hive hierarchy and tribute system, it may be that their new forms have rendered those systems unnecessary.
 ==Notes==
@@ Line 69: / Line 110: @@
 ==Trivia==
-*The Sword Logic is very similar to the "might makes right" aphorism with several meanings. One is that a ruling elite determines what society views as right and wrong. Another is that whomever "labels what they think is good for [themselves] as right, only those who are able to defeat their enemies can push their idea of what is right into fruition".<ref>'''Wikipedia''', ''[https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Might_makes_right Might makes right]''</ref>
+*The philosophy of the Sword Logic is similar to that of [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Darwinism Social Darwinism], in which the concept of "survival of the fittest", interpreted as an imperative for "the strong" to overcome "the weak", is paramount in all aspects of life.
+*The Sword Logic is also very similar to the "might makes right" aphorism, which has several meanings. One is that a ruling elite determines what society views as right and wrong. Another is that whomever "labels what they think is good for [themselves] as right, only those who are able to defeat their enemies can push their idea of what is right into fruition".<ref>'''Wikipedia''', ''[https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Might_makes_right Might makes right]''</ref>
 *According to William Montague,<ref>'''Wikipedia''', ''[https://www.wikiwand.com/en/William_Pepperell_Montague William Pepperell Montague]''</ref> '''Kraterocracy''' (Gr. κρατερός, or ''krateros'', meaning "strong") is a form of government ruled by those strong enough to have seized the reins of power through might or cunning.<ref>'''Dictionary of Philosophy''', ''[http://www.ditext.com/runes/k.html Kratocracy]''</ref> This is similar to how the Worms introduce Sword Logic to Auryx.<ref name="Weakness Verse"/>
 ==List of appearances==
 *''[[Destiny]]'' {{1st}}
-**''[[The Dark Below]]'' {{fm}}
+**''[[The Dark Below]]''
 **''[[The Taken King]]''
 **''[[Rise of Iron]]''
 *''[[Destiny 2]]''
+**''[[Curse of Osiris]]''
+**''[[Warmind (expansion)|Warmind]]''
+**''[[Forsaken]]''
+**''[[Season of the Drifter]]'' {{Mo}}
+**''[[Shadowkeep]]''
+**''[[Season of the Lost]]''
+**''[[Witch Queen]]''
+**''[[Season of the Seraph]]''
+**''[[Season of the Deep]]''
+**''[[Season of the Witch]]''
+**''[[The Final Shape]]'' {{Mo}}
+**''[[Episode: Echoes]]'' {{Mo}}
+*''[[The Hidden Dossier]]'' {{Mo}}
+*''[[Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume VII]]'' {{Mo}}
 ==References==
-{{Reflist|2}}
+<references/>
 {{Hive}}
 [[Category:Hive]]